Curtain stretcher



Aug. 28, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 16, 1947 ZZZ 4a Patented Aug. 28, 1951 CURTAIN STRETCHER Kenneth J. Unwin, Kenosha, Wis., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Quaker Stretcher Com.- pany, Kenosha, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application January 16, 1947, Serial No. 722,415

This invention relates to curtain stretchers adapted for use in small dwelling spaces such as apartments, and has for its object the provision of certain improvements to increase the utility of such structures.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved curtain stretcher having horizontally spaced upright frame members, an upper ridge pole of rounded, substantially broad contour joining these frame members, and vertically adjustable horizontal frame members extending between the upright members, the curtain being attached at one end thereof to a horizontal frame member on one side of the uprights, passing over the ridge pole and being attached at its other end to another horizontal frame member disposed on the other side of the uprights. An ancillary object is to so construct the ridge pole that it does not leave a crease or fold in the curtain when the same is removed from the stretcher.

A further object is the provision of an improved curtain stretcher having horizontally spaced uprights adjustable to the width of a curtain, and horizontal frame members relatively adjustable vertically to accommodate the length of the curtain.

A still further object is to provide a novel curtain stretcher of the aforesaid type having incorporated therein various improvements which render it particularly adaptable to stretching a folded curtain, such improvements including novel clamping means for interconnecting the uprights, ridge pole and horizontal frame members.

Various other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following specification when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein a certain preferred embodiment is set forth for purposes of illustration.

In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an assembled curtain stretcher constructed in accordance with and embodying the principles of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the stretcher when disassembled;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 3-3 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a view, partially in longitudinal section, on the line 44 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section on the line 5-5 in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 in Fig 1;

Fig. 7 is a sectional View taken on the line 1-1 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8-8 in Fig. 7;

9 Claims. (Cl. 45-24) Fig. 9 is a section on the line 9-4] in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 10 is a section on the line Ill-I0 in Fig. 1.

As shown in the drawings, particularly Figs. 1 and 2 thereof, the stretcher includes upright frame members ll, l2 and I3. Each of the upright frame members includes a pair of legs, l4 and l5, l6 and H, or 18 and 20, which are hinged together at their upper ends and are held at a fixed angle relative to each other by a brace 22. As shown, the uprights II and: [3 are disposed respectively at opposite ends of the stretcher frame, the upright l2 being disposed intermediate the ends of the frame. An upper ridge pole or bar 24 extends across the apexes of the uprights H, l2 and I3 and is connected to these frame members in the manner particularly described hereinafter. Horizontal frame members 2E and 28 extend across and are adjustably secured to the uprights H, [2 and I3 by slidable clamping devices.

The frame members 26 and 28 and the legs [4, IS, IS and ll of the uprights II and [2 are respectively provided with rows of curtain fastening devices such as pins 39. The uprights H and i2 are relatively adjustable horizontally to the width of the curtain that is to be stretched on the frame. One end of the curtain is attached to the frame member 2%, which extends between the legs l4 and I6 and may be positioned near the floor or other surface upon which the stretcher is supported. If the curtain is of greater length than the legs [4 and I6, it is laid over the ridge pole 24 so that its other end may be attached to the frame member 28, which under these circumstances would be disposed on the opposite side of the uprights H and I2, extending between legs l5 and I'L'as illustrated. The upper surface of the pole 24 is convex so that the curtain may curve around it on a relatively wide arc. The sides of. the curtain are attached to the legs [4, I5, I5 and ll of the uprights II and I2.

It will be understood that any suitable curtain anchoring devices may be employed in place of.

the pins 36. It is also contemplated that one of the horizontal frame members 26 and 28 may consist merely of a rod or bar which is passed through the hem of the curtain and held against the uprights H and I2 by adjustable retaining devices.

The uprights H- and it are respectively disposed at opposite ends of the ridge pole 24, and each upright is attached to the pole 2 1 by fastening means such as illustrated in Figs. 3, t and 5. As there shown, a hook-shaped screw member 32 extends through a hole bored in the ridge pole 24, the hook end. of this member extending below the pole 24. A wing nut 34 is threaded on the upper end of the member 32 and bears against the ridge pole 24. The legs l4 and i5 of the upright H (or the legs l8 and 29 of the upright 13, as the case may be) have a hinged connection afforded by two hinge plates 36 which are pivoted about a rivet 38 and are respectively secured to the upper ends of the legs of the upright. The hook 32 engages the lower edges of the plates 38, and as the nut 34 is tightened the hook 32 is drawn upwardly to hold the upper ends of the legs as M and [5 against the bottom face of the pole 24.

The upright i2 is adjustably secured to the ridge pole 24 by a clamping means shown in detail in Fig. 6. A plate or jaw 38 of the clamp is curved partly aroundthe convex upper face of the ridge pole 24. The other plate or jaw 40 of the clamp is secured to the leg I! of the upright 12. The upper ends of the le s i4 and Itv are connected together by the hinge comprising plates 4| and rivet 42. A bolt 43 and wing nut 44 are provided for pressing the jaw down upon the ridge pole 24, thereby drawing the other jaw 40 and the upright 12 against the I the margin of the curtain as do the pins 30 on the various frame members of the stretcher.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that I have provided a novel and useful curtain stretcher, particularly adapted for the purpose of stretching curtains in a relatively small space where it would not be feasible to employ a tain in an unbroken line.

bottom face of the pole, 24 to clamp the upright [2 in a selected position along the pole 24.

The horizontal frame member 26 is attached to one leg of the upright l l by a clamping device such as shown in Fig. 9. Thus, an angle plate 46, forming one jaw of the clamp is secured to, and extends from an end of the frame member 26, lying flush with the rear face of the leg 14 of the upright Ii. The other jaw plate 48 of the clamp is drawn against the outer edge of the leg 14 by a wing nut 50, threaded on a bolt 52 thus pressing the leg l4 and the end of the member 26 tightly together to retain the frame member 26 in a selected vertical position. An identical clamping device is provided for attaching an end of the other horizontal frame member 28 to the leg 15 of the upright H. The curtain-engaging surfaces of the frame members 26 and 28 are flush with and at right angles to those of the legs l4 and I5, respectively. The opposite ends of the frame members 26 and 28 are connected to the legs l8 and 2B, respectively, of the upright l3 by means illustrated in Fig. 10. A short length of rod 54, threaded at one end to receive a wing nut 56, passes through the frame member 28 and is bent around the leg 20 of the upright l3. The nut 55 is tightened to clamp the parts 29 and 28 together.

It should be observed that both of the horizontal frame members 26 and 28 may, if desired, be located on the same side of the uprights H and I3, being clamped to the same legs of these uprights, in the event that a small curtain is being stretched.

The frame members 26 and 28 extend across the legs l6 and I! of the upright l2, and the curtain-engaging surfaces of these horizontal frame members are displaced outwardly from the curtain-engaging surfaces of the legs l6 and H. In order to effect a gradual transition between the curtain-engaging surfaces, there are provided leveling bridges, shown in detail in Figs. '7 and 8. Thus, the bridge 58 comprises a strip which is secured by abolt 60 and wing nut 62 to a strap 64 that embraces the leg l6 of the upright l2. The bridge 58 extends over the outer face of the horizontal frame member 26 so that the frame member 26 is clamped against the leg l6 when the nut 62 is tightened. For the greater part of its length, the bridge 58 extends at an stretcher extending the full length of the cur- Slidable horizontal and vertical adjustments of the various curtainfastening frame members enable the stretcher to accommodate curtains having a wide variety of shapes and sizes. The contour and proportions of the ridge pole 24 in cross section, Figs. 3 and 6, are such that the curtain does not assume a crease or fold when dried on the stretcher. The various clamping devices for interconnecting the frame members and the ridge pole are disposed in such manner that they do not interfere with the attachment of the curtain to the frame members. v Suitable indicia, such as inches, are marked on the members I4, [5, l6, I1, 24, 26 and 28 to aid in properly adjusting the relative positions of these members according to the dimensions of the curtain.

, The stretcher is readily assembled and disassembled. To disassemble it, the ridge pole 24 is separated from the upright frame members H, l2 and I3 by loosening the wing nuts 34 and 43. The horizontal frame members 26 and 28 are removed from the uprights H, I2 and I3 by loosening the various clamping devices connecting these frame members to the uprights. The braces 22 between the legs of the uprights are unhooked so that the legs may be folded together as shown in Fig. 2. All of the stretcher parts may then be packed away in a small space. The various frame members may be jointed to fold up, if further economy in storage space is required. It is obvious that various changes may be made in the specific embodiment set forth for purposes'of illustration Without departing from the principles of the invention. The invention is accordingly not to be limited to the precise details disclosed'herein but includes all modifications'thereof within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

' The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A curtain stretcher comprising first and second upright frame members, an upper ridge pole extending between said first and second upright frame members, means releasably connecting said upright frame members respectively to the ends of said ridge pole abutting the undersurfaces thereof, a third upright frame member, means attaching said third frame member to said ridge pole exteriorly and intermediate the ends thereof in predetermined spaced relation to said first frame member. a pair of horizontal frame members extending between said first and secon dupright frame members on opposite sides thereof, means attaching said horizontal frame members exteriorly to said first and second up right frame members without penetration thereof to permit substantial relative adjustmentof said horizontal frame members vertically, and curtain-fastening devices respectively disposed on said first and third upright frame members and on said horizontal frame members.

.2... In a curtain stretcher, a pair of upright frame members each including a pair of legs, hinge means including transversely extending hinge plates pivoted together for interconnecting each pair of legs at the upper ends thereof, a brace for said legs, a ridg pole extending between said upright members across the upper ends thereof, hook members depending from said ridge pole and respectively engaged with the hinge plates below the pivotal connection therebetween, and means to draw said hook members individually toward said ridge pole to bring the upper ends of said legs firmly and squarely against said ridge pole while forcing each pair of legs toward one another to form a rigid unit with said brace.

3. In a curtain stretcher having upright frame members and a ridge pole supported by said frame members, an adjustable upright frame member comprising a pair of legs, hinge means interconnecting said legs at the upper ends thereof, a brace for said legs, and clamping means securing said adjustable upright member to said ridge pole at a selected position relative to the other upright frame members, said clamping means comprising a jaw. carried by said adjustable upright member, and another jaw partially embracing the top surface of said ridge pole to clamp the adjacent portion of said ridge pole against the ends of said legs 4. A curtain stretcher comprising a plurality of horizontallyspaced upright frame members, a ridge pole having a width which is substantial relative to its height extending across and interconnecting the upper ends of said upright frame members, and a pair of horizontal frame members supported by said upright frame members on opposite sides thereof, each of said upright frame members having a pair of downwardly diverging legs, and said ridge pole having an inverted substantially semicircular curtain-supporting surface, whereby the curtain depends from said ridge pole on either side thereof at a tangent to said semicircular surface.

5. A curtain stretcher comprising a pair of horizontally spaced upright frame members each including a pair of downwardly diverging legs, and a fastenerless ridge pole having a width which is substantial relative to its height ex tending across and interconnecting the upper ends of said upright frame members, said ridge .3.

pole having an inverted substantially semicircular curtain-supporting surface, and said legs being arranged to support and maintain the side edges of a curtain substantially tangent to said semicircular surface.

6. A curtain stretcher comprising horizontally spaced upright frame members having curtain fastening devices along the marginal portions thereof, a pair of horizontal frame members vertically adjustable with respect to said upright frame members and having curtain fastening devices thereon, a fastenerless upper ridge pole extending between and interconnecting said upright frame members, said ridge pole having a Width which is substantial relative to its height and clamping means carried by said horizontal frame members and extending partially and exteriorly around said upright frame members for clamping together adjacent surfaces of said horizontal and upright frame members and permitting substantially unlimited relative adjustment of the said horizontal frame members.

7. A curtain stretcher comprising horizontally spaced upright end frame members, an intermediate upright frame member, a fastenerless ,.Number ridge pole connected to and engaging the upper ends of each of said upright fram members in overlying relation, clamping means carried by said intermediate frame member and exteriorly engaging the upper surface of said ridge pole to clamp the ridge pole against the end of said intermediate frame member but permitting adjustment of said intermediate frame member throughout the extent of the ridge pole between said end frame members, a pair of horizontal frame members vertically adjustable with respect to said upright frame members and having curtain fastening devices thereon, and clamping means carried by said horizontal frame members and extending partially and exteriorly around said upright frame members for clamping together the adjacent surfaces of said horizontal and upright frame members and permitting substantially unlimited relative adjustment of the said horizontal frame members.

8. A curtain stretcher comprising a pair of horizontally spaced upright frame members each including a pair of legs hinged together at the upper ends thereof, a ridge pole extending between the upper ends of said frame members, fixed clamping means associated with the hinge connection between the legs for securing said ridge pole against the ends of said upright frame members, an adjustable upright frame member including a pair of hinged legs having the upper ends thereof disposed immediately beneath said ridge pole, a clamp independent of the hinge connection between said legs including a bracket arm disposed entirely exteriorly of the ridge pole and engaging the upper surface thereof for adjustably clamping the ends of the legs of said adjustable frame member against the bottom surface of said ridge pole, a pair of horizontal frame members disposed on opposite sides of said upright members, and clamping means carried by said horizontal frame members and exteriorly engaging adjacent surfaces of said upright frame members whereby to permit substantially unlimited adjustment of the horizontal frame members relative to the upright frame members.

9. In a curtain stretcher having upright end frame members each including a pair of pivoted legs and a ridge pole supported on the upper ends of said legs, the provision of an adjustable upright frame member comprising a pair of legs, hinge means interconnecting said legs adjacent the upper ends thereof, and clamping means for securing said adjustable upright frame member to said ridge pole at any preselected position of adjustment relative to the end frame members and including a pair of relatively movable jaws disposed exteriorly of said ridge pole and with one of said jaws engaging and clamping the top surface of said ridge pole whereby to clamp the same against the ends of the legs of said adjustable upright frame member.

KENNETH J. UNWIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent;

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date 517,694 Hartpence Apr. 3, 1894 925,210 Miller June15, 1909 1,050,017 Hansen Jan. 7, 1913 1645,2 15 Knittel Oct. 11, 1927 2,179,254 Dvorak Nov. 7, 1939 2,242,386 Block et a1. May 20, 1941 

